Ladder block

ABSTRACT

A block having a plurality of steps of different heights and useful as a stepladder for reaching different heights, depending on the size of the person. By laying the block selectively on any one of the three side and base surfaces, about nine different levels of height can be achieved. A pair of such blocks with a scaffoldboard inbetween supported at selective heights may be used for wall cleaning and the like.

United @tates Patent Ulerich 1 Sept. 23, 1975 [54] LADDER BLOCK 3,488,898 1/1970 Scaggs 182/132 3,556,586 l/197l Beardmore 1 1 297/3 [76] Inventor wiflter 23 Crag 3,826,336 7/1974 Cramer 182/106 Unlontownr 15401 3,830,337 8/1974 Todd 182/115 22 Filed: June 21, 1974 Primary Examiner Reinaldo P. Machado [21] Appl 48l639 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William J. Ruano [52] [1.8. CI. 182/194; 182/117; l82/129; ABSTRACT 182/132; 182/181; 273/160 51 1111. c1. E06C 1/00 A block havmg a Pluramy of Steps of dlfferem helghts [58] Field of Search 182/194, 228, 130, 131, and useful as a StePladder for reaching differem 1 2/132 115 1 1 l 17 29; 272 9 2 25 heights, depending on the SiZE 0f the person. By laying 273/160; 1334/15 G6, 15 M the block selectively on any one of the three side and base surfaces, about nine different levels of height can [56] References Cited be achieved. A pair of such blocks with a scaffold- UNITED STATES PATENTS board inbetween supported at selective heights may be 332 256 12/1885 K 1 273/160 used for wall cleaning and the like.

, CB er .1 3,339,920 9/1967 Moritz 182/181 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 3,97fi68 kitchen or elsewhere.

LADDER BLOCK intricate parts and must be collapsed and yet which do not provide the desired stability and selectivity of heights as often required by the housewife in the An object of the present invention is to overcome the abovenarned disadvantages by providing a simple block with steps so arranged as to provide about nine differ- FIG. 2 is a top, perspective view of a pair of blocks of the construction shown in FIG. I for mounting a scaffoldboard at selective heights.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawing, letter B generally denotes a block which is stepped in accordance with the present invention. The block may be made of any suitable material and may be either solid or hollow, for example, wood, aluminum, plastic, steel, or any suitable material. The block is stepped so as to provide a large number of levels. More specifically, the tread surfaces 1, 2, e and 4 give four different levels while the block is supported on the base plane resting on the floor. Additional levels to the four men tioned are provided by supporting the block on different side planes. For example if the block were turned 90 so that theside vertical plane 11 rests on the floor.

instead, different tread levels such as 5, 6 and 7 will be provided. And if the block were tilted 90 so that the side plane 12 rests on the floor, there will be still additional levels 8 and 9 provided. Thus a total of 9 different levels or heights may be selectively used on a single block, giving a far greater selection of tread levels than provided by conventional short laddcrsand the like. For example, for a-24 inch by 24 inch block the heights of treads 1, 2, 3, 4 are 6 inches, inches and 21 /1 inches, respectively. By proper tilting of 90, the heights of treads 5, 6 and 7 are I 10 1% inches 18 inches and 24 inches, respectively,

treads 8 and 9 are 9 inches and 24 inches high, respectively. A 28 inch by 32 inch block gives 9 levels. The

' block'may be of any suitable size, such as 28 inches by 32 inches at the base of plane 10 or perhaps 24 inches by 24 inches. 1

, The block is highly useful to the housewifeor others for cleaninghigh places such as ceilings, sidewalls and cupboards, etc.. It is useful not onlyfor-homes but, in

' larger sizes, it may be used by contractors, such as electricians and plasterers.

i For cleaning or painting sidewalls, it is desirable to use two identical blocks, B and B as shown in FIG. 2, with a scaffold board 13 therebetween supported at embodying the principles of the present invention; and,

any level on selected identical treads of the blocks.

In certain instances, the block may be made collapsible such as by sliding the lower stepped portion, having treadsv 1 and 2', into the sidewall 8 of the higher stepped portion, of course having the necessary corresponding groove cut-out of the base of the riser or vertical wall portion 8.

The block may also be used in airplane hangers and other industrial applications, in which case it would be desirable to mount it on wheels, such as casters.

If the block were made of plastic, it could be reinforced either by a waffle or corrugated finish. For greater portability, two holes (not shown) at any angle may be formed on the tread 4. I

While the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, shows nine different levels, it should be noted that the block may have, instead, a larger or smaller number of levels, as desired.

If desired, an additional work surface in the form of a table (letter T) may be supported at a level higher than tread 4 merely by running a supporting pipe or tube in holes 14 (see B in FIG. 2) formed in the block 1 extending along the rearmost vertical corner and along both of the base corners along the rear of the block illustrated in FlG l In short, the tubular support for such table would comprise three right angularly arranged pipes or tubes.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel effivcient stepped block which is of relatively simple conpositions; furthermore, I have provided a stepped block which is more versatile in use and yet far less expensive to manufacture than the presently-used short step ladders and the like.

While I have illustrated and described a single specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications may be contemplated in my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A ladder block having a plurality of stcps'of sufficient size to stand thereon, including a pair of steps along one side to give two step levels and integral with a pair of steps of greater height on the other side thereof to give two additional higher step levels, making a total of four step levels surrounded by four flat, stepped sidewalls, a common rectangular base underlying all four of said step levels, additional levels being permost step of the block. 

1. A ladder block having a plurality of steps of sufficient size to stand thereon, including a pair of steps along one side to give two step levels and integral with a pair of steps of greater height on the other side thereof to give two additional higher step levels, making a total of four step levels surrounded by four flat, stepped sidewalls, a common rectangular base underlying all four of said step levels, additional levels being provided by tilting the block by 90* so that at least two of said sidewalls may be used selectively as the base surface resting on the floor so as to give a total of nine step levels.
 2. A ladder block as recited in claim 1 having a hole extending along the vertical corner of greatest height, a work table supported by a post extending into said hole, which work table is positioned higher than the uppermost step of the block. 